The Promoted

What to expect from West Bromwich Albion manager Slaven Bilic in FPL

West Bromwich Albion have returned to the Premier League after a two-year absence, with the Baggies having sealed promotion to the top tier after finishing runners-up behind Championship title winners Leeds United.

Also back in the big time is Slaven Bilic, who steered Albion to second spot in his first season in charge at the Hawthorns.

The 51-year-old Croatian had previously spent 29 months as head coach of West Ham United between 2015 and 2017.

What can Fantasy managers expect from Bilic and the Baggies in 2020/21, then?

Our three-part series on West Brom will feature an in-depth examination of their defence and attack but we begin with a closer look at the man in the dugout.

To aid our analysis, we spoke to the former assistant sports editor at the Express and Star and authority on all things Albion, Matt Wilson.

What is Bilic’s background?

Bilic’s playing career, which featured spells at West Ham and Everton, wound down at the turn of the millennium and his first stint in management – albeit as an interim boss – came a year later with hometown club Hajduk Split.

A period in joint-charge of the Croatian under-21 team preceded a six-year term at the helm of the senior national side, the high point of which was a quarter-final appearance at Euro 2008.

Returning to club management in 2012, Bilic’s ill-fated stay with Lokomotiv Moscow was followed by two years in charge of Besiktas and a run to the last 16 of the Europa League with the Turkish giants.

West Ham came calling in the summer of 2015, with Bilic leading the Hammers to finishes of seventh and 11th in his two full seasons in charge.

Here’s how the London club fared compared to the rest of the Premier League in those two campaigns (for the defensive stats, 1st means the tightest backline and 20th the leakiest):

Attacking Stats
2015/162016/17
Goals scored65 (4th=)47 (11th)
Shots558 (5th)499 (9th)
Shots in the box329 (7th)270 (10th)
Shots on target180 (5th)134 (13th)
Big chances67 (7th)54 (12th)

Defensive Stats
2015/162016/17
Goals conceded51 (10th=)64 (15th)
Clean sheets11 (7th=)10 (11th=)
Shots conceded521 (13th=)505 (9th)
Shots in the box conceded305 (12th)329 (15th)
Shots on target conceded159 (10th)179 (13th)
Big chances conceded69 (17th)75 (18th)

Bilic was sacked after only 11 matches of the 2017/18 campaign, with the Hammers sitting in 18th place.

Despite the inglorious end to his tenure in east London, he still left with the best points-per-match record (1.33) of any permanent West Ham manager in the Premier League era.

Bilic was dismissed after just five months of a spell with Saudi club Al-Ittihad in February last year, having won only four of the 17 games he took charge of.

Appointed West Brom manager in June 2019, the Croatian steered the Baggies to automatic promotion at the first attempt.

Top of the Championship at Christmas and 12 points clear of third place, the second half of the campaign was a more jittery affair as Brentford steadily narrowed the gap.

Only on the final day did Albion seal the runners-up spot, a 2-2 draw with QPR proving to be enough as their nearest challenges for promotion faltered at the last.

WHAT STYLE OF FOOTBALL DOES BILIC USE?

Bilic’s time in east London was characterised by some erratic team selections and formation choices, particularly towards the end of his tenure.

In the most successful of his seasons with the Hammers, a 4-2-3-1 was initially preferred before the adoption of a 4-1-4-1 and 4-3-3.

There are parallels with Bilic’s debut seasons at West Ham and West Brom, tactics-wise.

Our WBA correspondent, Matt Wilson, told us:

He played 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 for pretty much most of the season. It was built on one solid central striker laying the ball back to the ‘second row’ of attackers, as he called them.

I wouldn’t recommend having two Albion strikers in your Fantasy team, as it’s focused on wingers.

He doesn’t normally deviate away from those two systems, and I can’t recall any run of games when a back three or back five was used. It may have been trialled once or twice but last season he found a system that worked pretty early on and stayed with it, until it needed a minor tweak to 4-3-3 towards the end of the season.

Romaine Sawyers, Jake Livermore and Matheus Pereira have been the mainstays of the midfield all season, with the latter playing as a number 10 in the 4-2-3-1 ahead of his two more withdrawn teammates.

A change to a 4-3-3 in the spring saw Pereira switch to the right flank (although still drifting infield) and both player and team saw some success in that new system following their post-Christmas wobble.

Sawyers, who registered one goal and one assist last season, isn’t likely to be much of a Fantasy asset himself but his contribution is key to the Baggies’ play, according to Matt Wilson:

Much of the play goes through Romaine Sawyers, who sits at the base of midfield alongside Jake Livermore and dictates play. Whether Sawyers, who came through Albion’s academy before leaving and then returning, will be allowed to do that in the Premier League remains to be seen. 

While Pereira shone in the 4-3-3, Sawyers was perhaps not as influential at the base of the three-man midfield as he was in a double-pivot – so Bilic still has much to ponder on as Albion prepare for their top-flight return.

At the back, Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi have been the main centre-half pairing in 2019/20 (although Ahmed Hegazi challenged the former towards the end of the campaign) but there has been a changing cast of characters in the full-back positions.

Our Baggies expert, Matt Wilson, said:

Bilic also normally only likes to play with one attacking full-back so as not to unbalance the team, but quite often will throw on an attacking full-back onto the other side if we’re chasing the game. They have license to get up the pitch and support the wingers.

With Albion’s wide players sometimes playing more narrow rather than hugging the touchline, there has been scope for the full-backs to get forward.

Right-back Darnell Furlong, for example, registered 126 crosses from open play last season, just one fewer than winger Matt Phillips managed – and that was despite making eight fewer starts and losing his place in the second half of the campaign.

In terms of rotation, Bilic isn’t at the Graham Potter end of the scale: six of his regulars – Pereira, Livermore, Sawyers, Bartley, Ajayi and goalkeeper Sam Johnstone – made 37 or more league starts in 2019/20, with injury or suspension accounting for a number of the absences amongst that sextet.

The wide areas look the least secure, however.

Not one of Albion’s full-backs made more than 22 starts, while there was plenty of chopping and changing further forward, too: 16 of Filip Krovonic‘s 40 appearances, for example, came as a substitute.

Matt Wilson told us:

If the team is winning he’ll usually reward them with a settled side. In the Championship, you do sometimes have to rotate because of the number of games, so it was striking how often he named a very similar line-up when things were going well. But that doesn’t mean he sticks with teams that aren’t working.

Towards the end of the season, when we were struggling to get over the line, Bilic changed it up regularly, and on the last day, he played Callum Robinson up front for the first time (having only previously used him on the wing). He scored one and assisted another.

HOW DOES BILIC HANDLE THE PRESS?

An intelligent speaker and forthright with his opinions, Bilic has arguably been one of the stand-out pundits of the last decade in his sporadic stints on television, mostly at international tournaments.

That candidness has been a recurring theme throughout his managerial career, too, which bodes well for us Fantasy managers who like our head coaches to be open and honest – particularly when it comes to team news.

Matt Wilson explains:

Bilic is a journalist’s dream, a charismatic and passionate manager who has time for everyone. He wears his heart on his sleeve and often calls games correctly. 

He’s usually pretty honest [with team news] actually! And happy to tell you if someone is unfit. Although that may change in the Premier League when every little detail is scrutinised by the opposition, so perhaps he’ll be a bit more closeted in order to try and gain some kind of advantage.

WHERE MIGHT BILIC STRENGTHEN IN THE SUMMER AND WHICH PLAYERS ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING THEIR PLACE?

We can likely expect the Baggies to be busy in the transfer market this summer.

For kick-off, there is the question over which and how many of their key four loanees – all of them attacking players – makes a permanent move to The Hawthorns.

Pereira, Krovinovic, Grady Diangana and Callum Robinson all made crucial contributions at various points of the season, with Pereira set to rejoin after a buyout clause was triggered.

The former Express and Star journalist, Matt Wilson, reckons Bilic will look to strengthen in various positions and most notably up front, with Kenneth Zohore flopping and the likes of Hal Robson-Kanu perhaps not quite up to Premier League standard:

I think he’ll definitely look for a striker and winger, maybe a full-back and also a defensive central midfielder.

The strikers are probably most vulnerable to be honest, so Hal Robson-Kanu and Charlie Austin.

A new winger could shunt Kamil Grosicki or Kyle Edwards down the pecking order, even though both of those players are capable of threatening on their day.


Our thanks again to Matt Wilson for his time and insight. Keep your eyes peeled for two more West Brom articles in The Promoted series, which will be landing over the next week.

Best players by position:

640 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Swansea Bloke
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone have any any idea when the game will be refreshed for the new season? Can’t be long now can it...

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I guess after fixtures are released which is rumoured to be around 21st August.

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        this

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I've been pressing f5 for 48 hours and I now have RSI.

    3. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      1 month before season starts, so 12 August...

  2. Swansea Bloke
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    That would make sense. was hoping it was sooner though haha can’t wait to change my team a million times before deadline lol

  3. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    It looks like rotation is going to be worse than ever at Manchester City next season. Nathan Ake and Ferran Torres deals already done, four more signings wanted.

    https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/12042856/man-city-nathan-ake-set-for-medical-city-want-to-sign-four-more

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      If they keep 5 subs rule then going with one of the main assets (Sterling, KDB, Mahrez, Jesus, Kun, B Silva or Foden) should give you minutes either starts or minutes of the bench.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Got 2 complete blanks in 10 matches post restart - KdB and Dilva. Not so straightforward perhaps. It probably depends on how the schedule shakes down as much as the 5 sub rule.

        1. el polako
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I know its not straightforward but new season will be different for City as they will do everything in their powers to reclaim the throne - which makes me think that Pep will play his best players in PL.
          End of last season they had guaranteed 2nd place no matter what so he's main focus was to keep all players fit and ready for CL.

      2. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        You also need to consider that Kun - their number 2/3 attacking asset - was out for that post lockdown period and gave more minutes to other attacking assets and we now live in a post Dilva world. Very hard to extrapolate out from 30-38 to a new season.

      3. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Right, I think the 5 subs rule will be more significant here. I might become the norm that premium assets are subbed off after 70 mins, reducing their value.

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          And also subbed on at 60 - potentially reducing their value still further.

          KdB did brilliantly in the last ten on these minutes as did Sterling - who almost certainly benefitted from no Kun - but City had some very soft fixtures in there. Generally that end of season period is just so hard to draw conclusions from - really anomalous

          1. long break disrupting flow of season creating one mini season
          2. mad schedule
          3. Liverpool couldn't be bothered
          4. City couldn't be that bothered either
          5. FA cup and Europe not the same factor as they would normally be in end of season

          That's before you add in the normal end of season turmoil with some clubs going all in in a way that seems less likely during regular season and others just not that interested

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            I am considering have a pair of supersubs as first choices in my squad - prob Greenwood and Foden, maybe Nketiah. Their prices ought to be modest, reflecting their fringe first team status.

    2. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Don’t think either will play much. Like they did initially with Sane, can see Ferran Torres being slowly eased in over the season. Ake looks to be backup for Laporte who is expect will play most weeks.

    3. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I don't think having more than one City player will be affordable next season regardless.

      For most It will be a decision of going with either KDB or Sterling.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I'll consider Ederson if I have spare cash (which is unlikely)

      2. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        You're forgetting Kun - decent chance he'll be the cheapest and is as expose as either of the other two - just not a season hold

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          *explosive*

        2. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Despite having a poorish season, I don't think he'll be cheaper - maybe down 0.5m. Should still be quite popular.

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Hoping for 11.0 but would settle for 11.5 perhaps.

            Kane Vardy Kun Auba all within 0.5 of each other would almost certainly lead me getting one of them up top from week 1. Auba into midfield and/or Kun overpriced would make me think twice - not least because there's likely to be great choice up top either side of 9.0

            Slightly working on the basis here that it's easier to downgrade than upgrade. Vardy was an easy move for me last time out as I already had Kun - much harder for those who swallowed the line about two cheapies up top

            1. Andy_Social
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              That interchangeable premium striker role - at the right price I might consider it, but I still feel it's fraught with risk. But Kun at the right price may make me think about changing my proposed structure.

    4. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I thought Pep said they don't have spend a single penny to replace Dilva as they have Foden.

      1. Bring back Rafa
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        No disrespect to Foden, he is obviously a young player with enormous potential, but in 2020/21 I wouldn't expect him to play close to the level Silva has played at in any of his 10 seasons there

      2. noquarternt
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Haha

    5. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      It’s interesting, players like Mahrez would be guaranteed a minimum of 20-30 mins each week other than an enormous guess and possible 0.

      Can take more chances.

  4. Sanchit
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Where can I find points for last season for all players? The official site does not load as they are preparing for new season.

  5. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Given the relatively short break before the new season starts, do you think the starting template team will be broadly similar to the old one?

    ie

    Pope/Hendo - 4.0
    TAA - Sheff U - Wol - 4.5 - 4.0
    Salah - KDB - Bruno - 6.5 - 5.0
    Jimmy - Ings - 6.5

    (Prices/team value are guesstimates).

    1. FeverPitch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I reckon that’ll be around 5 mil over budget. But yeah I think they’ll all be popular picks

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I don't, no. The successful players of last season will be vastly more expensive, so you can't assemble anything close to the same team.

      Hendo - not at Blades, more expensive, prob backup to DDG.
      Sheff U and Wolves defenders - big price hikes. Maybe a Wolf, but not so many will have a Blade.
      I expect to see a beefier midfield with 4 stronger starters, meaning 2 of your named ones and 2 in the 7-10m bracket.
      Jimi prob priced too high for all but casuals.

      So maybe more like
      Pope/4m
      2xLiv, Wolf, 4.5, 4.0
      KDB, Bruno, 9m 9m 4.5
      Ings 7m 6.5m

      1. Bring back Rafa
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Think I'll start Antonio as my number 1 striker (position change expected)
        What price do we think he'll come in at?

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I was thinking 7.5

          Himself & the likes of Wood, Mitro, Che Adams will be very popular/useful players - Ings at 8.0 as well

          The way the game is going it's often getting harder & harder to justify big spends on expensive strikers - especially with Auba's potential reclass meaning the lineup of 250-Capable Goliaths in midfield just keeps growing (Salah, Mane, Sterling, KDB, Auba, Bruno)

        2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I dont believe there will be a change for Antonio, he is a midfield player who covered for us as we had no fit strikers......started the season as our right back but his role is as an attacking Mid. Cant see WHU not bringing in another striker and keep Haller up top now that he is fit............

          1. Soto Ayam
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            You might be right, but I think another striker is the last thing we need unless they can ship the deadwood first. Hopefully Antonio is still a mid though, it would be tough to class him as a forward, but who knows.

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      The whole extended break thing for Man Utd, Man City, Wolves could be a spanner

      KDB, Bruno & Laporte are pretty much nailed into my side, possibly Doherty & maybe even Jimmy as well but at the same time - if those guys are all missing GW1 and/or two it just makes things a little awkward

      Possibly not quite enough to justify a planned early WC, but equally could be enough to dent early scores if you bench the likes of those guys

      Planning to use FT's to get them in increases the risk of missing early hauls - you can guarantee for example if you wated to get KDB via FT in GW4, rather than WC to get him in GW3 that he'll score 19 points that week, regardess of who he's playing

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        The way I see it, a staggered start like this is a spanner for sure, but it's an opportunity to sort out the proper players from the casuals. By that I mean it will require skill and thought to plan the first few GWs carefully. Those who don't, prematurely blow their WC and are left with regrets come TDD. I'm quite looking forward to the complex planning involved as the season draws nigh.

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Yep potential for that for sure - hopefully if they are going to miss games it's only GW1 though, if that was the case I think I'd lean towards just getting them from the start & benching them for one week - Maybe start with Salah or Auba instead of one of KDB/Bruno as a one week captaincy punt & FT them in for GW2 etc

          Missing more than GW1 starts to make it messy though

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            If any team makes it to a final, I think they miss 2 GWs.

            1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Could they start the new season GW1 in the same staggered way they did the winter break ?? That would give all those teams still in Europe to start a week later ??

              1. Andy_Social
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                I forget the winter break - what happened?

                But yeh, PL is giving all teams a month off from last competitive match, so for any team the reaches semi-f of CL or EL that means start GW2, and if they make a final, start GW3. That's how it's looking at the moment anyway.

              2. pingissimus
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Think that's a very likely solution if it can be worked

            2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Yeah looks like:

              - Team Makes it to Final: Assuming GW3 is Saturday 26th then they miss GW's 1 & 2

              i.e. 30 days from 21st Aug (Europa League Final) is Sunday 20th September... and from 23rd Aug (Champs Lge Final) is Tuesday 22nd September

              - Team Makes it to Semi-Final: Assuming GW2 is Saturday 19th then they miss GW 1

              i.e. Semi finals are 16/17th for Europa & 18/19th for CL - which is 15/16/17/18 September after applying 30 day rest periods - would allow them play GW2 (19th Septemeber) & only miss GW1

              Going out at Quarter Final stages means they would make GW1 I think

              There's International fixtures the week before GW1 - so presumably all players from clubs involved in Europe are unavailable for selection for those?? It would kind of contradict the whole 30 days rest logic if they were required to go on International Duty 2 weeks after the Euro Club competitions finish

              1. have you seen cyan
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                There’s the super cup as well if any of them win

        2. Bring back Rafa
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          What is TDD?

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Transfer Deadline Day!

          2. el polako
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Engine type in VW Passat ?

  6. Our Tiny Windows
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Broadly

  7. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    If Arsenal get Willian I guess that puts Auba at CF if they can get him to stay.

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Wouldn't William be in Pepe/Saka's place with Auba on the other side?

      1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I'd say Willian left Pepe right Auba CF. They may deploy Saka elsewhere he is fairly versatile.

  8. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    No price changes last night?

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'm still hoping to wake up and discover Mars Bars are 4p again

  9. noquarternt
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Ryan Fraser- where will he end up?

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Arsenal

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Middle Earth Rovers

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Only if its managed by OGS.

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          With Shaqiri playing in the (hobbit) hole.

  10. Uncle Baby Billy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Awful lot of (understandable) speculation on here regarding teams possibly blanking in the first two weeks. Obviously MU, Man City & Wolves are going to be teams drawing serious investment, if any two of those miss weeks one and two then it’s a major problem. If their blanks involve games with any of Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal, Leicester, Southampton, Everton or even Leeds we’re going to have a disaster of biblical proportions, players will literally be forced to either start the season packed with Palace, Villa, West Brom and Fulham assets… or blow their first WC before the transfer window is close to closing.

    Solution? An extra WC to be played before week six.

    Think about it, if the game attracts 6m players and only ten per cent of them are ‘serious’ players who would welcome the extra complexity and challenges, that leaves 5.4m players who may lose interest extremely quickly. FF is set up to appeal to the masses, the masses don’t spend half their wakened hours fretting about whether or not to bench KDB, Bruno & Doherty for three weeks to save themselves having to take hits (or waste an early WC) to eventually get them in. Either the game is enjoyable (not too difficult to navigate) for them or they’ll be on the first stage out of Dodge City.

    The game will be designed to appeal to the 90%.

    There will be an extra wildcard.

    You’re all very welcome.

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Throw in the international break before GW1 (there is one right?) and the ongoing spectre of Covid19 looming in the background and you might not be far wrong you know

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Although in fairness I suppose the internationals can be handled by the unlimited transfers we have in the run up to GW1 anyways

      2. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Ongoing spectre indeed - slightly off the agenda right now but another lockdown break is hardly unforeseeable.

        Don't see the extra wildcard happening at all personally.

        1. Uncle Baby Billy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          "Don't see the extra wildcard happening at all personally".

          Then the game is doomed. Like I said, if 10% of players are prepared to navigate the extra difficulties involved with opening fixtures it's not a lot of people in real terms.

          I get it that 60,000 people is a huge amount of bodies, especially if you're trying to get them all into your living room at the same time, but it's the 5m plus (who you'd need a really big living room to get all in) they need to cater to. If they lose them early on it's curtains.

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            The 5 mill plus are likely prepared just to make the extra transfers - they're not the ones who count how many transfers they make every season. Arguably it's another reason for them to log on and do something.

            1. Rover
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Fully agree. BGW very early in the season in GW1/GW2 and probably some DGWs early in the season. We just have to deal with that with our transfer planning, either through hits or by finding alternatives.

              Also this will likely be well known before the start of the season. You don't see FPL giving out WCs if a handful of games are postponed because of unexpected weather.

              What happened in 19/20 was sudden and protracted and the restart felt like a new season altogether in many ways, and that's why the extra wildcard.

          2. El Presidente
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            10% if 6 million people is not 60k btw....

    2. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'd argue an extra wildcard -increases- complexity and is more likely to be missed by most players.

      The majority of more 'casual' players have their interest at its height in the early weeks - so I'd suggest this is the lowest risk time for FPL to just roll with the fixtures as they come.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        this

      2. Uncle Baby Billy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        "The majority of more 'casual' players have their interest at its height in the early weeks so I'd suggest this is the lowest risk time for FPL to just roll with the fixtures as they come"

        That's actually a very good point.

        I obviously haven't thought this through.

        Bye.

    3. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure FPL will want to go through another logical nightmare. So long as the fixtures and potential blanks are mapped out in advance everyone knows the score. The Covid thing was a complete unknown bomb mid-season whereas this is just the usual scheduling hassles.

    4. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Another wildcard would be a joke and would never happen, surely . 2 is 1 too many.

      Way this game is going they may as well just develop a button that you press that automatically chooses your team for you based on some algorithm . Isn't OPTA's spoonfeeding tables , fantasy sites and the twitter " oh look at me i am an FPL god " narcissists enough as it is.? Come on..There has to be some strategy involved and not just throwing a free wildcard everytime players start melting down because their brains can't hack it.

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        there literally already is a button that automatically chooses your team for you 😀

        1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          🙂 Auto-complete on steroids then

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            auto-complete is actually quite good - I sometimes click in when messing around and it comes up with some pretty solid ideas haha

      2. Uncle Baby Billy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Whatever else happens between now and the end of next season, I seriously doubt that rant will be beaten.

        Pity it doesn't make much sense, or I'd have linked to it on Twitter. I've got 27 million followers, you'd have been an overnight sensation.

        1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Well it is the kind of dross i would expect an FPL twitter account to spew out so i don't not belive you 😉

        2. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          'that rant' - you mean your own one?
          Boy, 27 million followers has really gone to your head.
          How'd you get 27 million anyway?

          1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            😆

        3. Amey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          LOL

      3. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        A fine line between narcissism and a "pat on the back" Some will have you believe all sportsmen and "winners" are narcissists.

    5. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      “... There will be an extra wildcard. ...”. No chance.

    6. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not happening.

      So my sage advice would to be grow a pair and actually try and work out the best way to combat this as this is the kind of challenge 'serious' players enjoy.

      I have no/zero/nada followers on twatter and my life is richer for it. 😉

  11. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Any thoughts on the likely structure to the footballing week next season?

    Is it possible that we will get more or less daily football again broken down somewhat randomly into game weeks or is the more traditional structure going to return?

    Was the post lockdown structure not at least partially driven by no crowds - something that looks to be here to stay for the foreseeable?

    1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'd say back to usual. Less rush to complete games now. TV money will as usual dictate the timings, with even less cause to worry about fans travel (not that they ever did).

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Guess

        Follow up question is what arrangements are going to be made to view matches. Will clubs get to stream matches live and how will that be patrolled?

  12. Make Arrows Green Again
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Actually, current Tory social distancing advice is that you are only allowed up to 20,000 people in your living room, of which 5,000 have to be from your household and 1,000 have to have coronavirus. You have to wear a mask unless you're spending money in which case you're exempt, and if you spend more than the weekly moving average on sh1t you don't need you get to lick all the light switches. Hope this is clear.

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Reply fail to Uncle Baby Billy. It's important we all familiarise ourselves with the guidelines though so no harm with it reaching a wider audience.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Shame it was a fail.
      Take the upvote though 😀

  13. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    how far behind will returning teams be? isn't a big old double-GW1 not possible?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      RE:Uncle Baby Billy comment

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        ie no blanks, everyone plays twice in GW1

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          37 week season?

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            guess so yeah, don't see why not

            1. Make Arrows Green Again
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              This would surely solve some problems

            2. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Seems improbable but what seems highly likely to me is that the potential BGWs will be almost instant DGWs - can't see that they would want to build up a backlog of missed fixtures given how tight the season timing is anyway.

              To me a related issue is what happens with broadcasting. If the season reverts to a standard type programme then an awful lot of football is going to go unwatched, Sky and BT have rights to a limited number of games no? What happens to the rest?

              I'm guessing that there will at least some impetus to broadcast the "unseen" matches in this country and not just abroad. If that happens we may end up with a staggered programme as per weeks 30-38 to avoid overlap in broadcasts. If that happens then the game week structure may break down.

  14. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Cya Alexis, Utd's worst ever signing.

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      This has maybe been done to death but what went wrong? He was always such a leader for Arsenal, such a fighter.

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Genuinely have no idea, he suddenly seemed to lose all pace and had a worse first touch than me, could barely complete a 5 yard pass.

      2. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        he needs to play centrally, which didn't happen at United

        1. Make Arrows Green Again
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Ah right, yes. he also needed to be the main man IIRC which was easier at Arsenal than at United.

          1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Djemba Djemba says hello

  15. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    "In December, Buendia created 29 chances, the most by a player in a calendar month on record in Premier League history."

    Wtf, I knew he was creating a lot of chances but that's ridiculous, he'll be a great signing for someone.

    1. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Buendia had terrific stats in 19/20. Never really translated into FPL points though. 🙁 Ex-owner.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Get Pereira from WBA and you can relive the experience. 🙂

        Creators are only as good as finishers make them

        1. jtreble
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Thanks, I’ll have a look. No way I can be doubly cursed. 🙂

    2. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah he was top of many of the stats boards for ages. I kept missing opportunities to get him in, which was a blessing I suppose as he never turned them into many points due to lack of quality around him.

  16. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Arsenal announcing 55 redundancies while offering a 3 year contract to 31 year old Willian is not a good look.

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'm assuming most of those jobs were just fluff anyway - if they were truly needed they would be kept. Who is to say most of them were not underperforming anyway? they're not running a charity

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Let's not speculate on underperformance when they have plenty of players that can barely fulfill the basics of their jobs.

        Fluff? That's people's livelihoods, they're not a struggling League Two club, they have a billionaire owner and can afford to keep them on.

        1. TOKAMAK
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Ugh, you sound like you're running for office.

          The stadiums are empty therefore less staff needed. They could have been furloughed months ago along with millions of others working for far richer corporations

          1. The Ejiptian King
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            How so?

    2. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not forgetting Ozil sitting on his arse

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yes on 350k a week!

      2. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Ozil a cretin of the highest order. Supports genocide of the Kurds as well

        1. Klaren
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Ignorant comment. You could argue that about Ozil just for his support for the Turkish president but about 10% of population in Turkey is Kurdish with a significant portion living in the major cities in Western/Central areas. There is no government or military action towards them based on race/ethnicity.

          The conflict in the eastern parts of Turkey between Turkey and the Kurds living in that region is based on the claim for the land by both groups. I won’t go into a debate on who is right/wrong etc here but even if we were to accept that Turkey is 100% the party to blame here, the issue is a geographic one rather than an ethnic genocide as you suggested.

    3. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Totally agree. The club should go back on that decision.

    4. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      It isn't the 55 staff that will get them into Europe though is it. Willian is more of an asset to their future profits .

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Willian is a geriatric on an obscene salary with no resale value. The sacked staff include much of the recruitment and scouting department, who have found plenty of young stars over the years. They will be replaced by agent-led recruitment, centred on the notoriously greedy Kia Joorchabian (sp?). Willian gets a 10mil signing on fee - that's about a year's wages for the redundant staff alone.

  17. matz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Now applying some db updates to members db there will like be some disruption

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      If I hit F5 often enough could I get a better members ranking?

      1. matz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Sadly not even that will work. On the bright side, the members db upgrade is completed.

        1. Make Arrows Green Again
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I feared as much, thanks for the update(s) though!

    2. matz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I am now going to upgrade the comment system database. This will result in some disruption to the site.

      1. matz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Comment system db now updated. CMS next. Get your F5 fingers ready.

        1. matz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          And were back. All done, thanks.

  18. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone want to predict the top 6 this year?

    1. Man City - I think they'll win it this year. Laporte is fit again and bar another injury disaster, they have the squad and depth to win it all.

    2. Liverpool - Still imperious. Can easily win again but with a smaller squad and more congested fixtures, it favors City.

    3. Manchester United - They're looking brighter than ever. If they sign Sancho they should just have too much fire power for the other contenders. They also have the best defence of the chasers.

    4. Arsenal - Arteta is a fantastic manager. I reckon if they hold Aubameyang and get Coutinho they could make a good run. Defence is a worry but it's a worry for the two teams below them too.

    5. Spurs - No Mourinho magic. This Spurs team aren't good enough. The squad isn't good enough. There's not enough creativity, there's not enough defensive solidity. But I reckon they'll outperform Chelsea from sheer will and Harry Kane's goals (reckon he'll hit 25+ this season)

    6. Chelsea - So many exciting talents but that defense is really poor and Lampard has not shown that he's experienced enough to be able to fix the leaks. Add in the time it takes for the likes of Werner and Ziyech to gel and to find his correct XI, I'll be surprised if Chelsea make CL places this year.

    1. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Mostly agree with that - also think City benefit from playing without a crowd and will barely concede any goals if defence are fit.

      I think United might struggle with fixture pile up and I'd throw Wolves in to a potential top 7 unless this season tires them too much.

      1. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        also City in Europe is a variable. If they win it this year I think EPL next is more likely, but if they come up short again I think I'd maybe make Liverpool league favourites as they will want to retain.

    2. amitmishr
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      If Chelsea can get havertz, oblak/ter stegen/Henderson, chillwel, stones, koulidably and hold onto kante, their squad will be pretty strong

      I think they will be in the mix with city. Liverpool, just 1/2 injury away from a barren spell they were also quite lucky in close games this year.

      I think city will win, Chelsea close second, united and liverpool to fight for 3/4.

      Arsenal still have Luiz, if they can get rid of him, they may fight for 3/4 position

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        You think Chelsea will spend another £300m AFTER Havertz?! Not gonna happen.

        1. amitmishr
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          They didn't buy anything last year, got inflow of 140mn, so can buy big this time

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Wait & see how Leicester start, they had large amount of key players out.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I think Leicester were lucky that it was a really down year for everyone except Liverpool. ManUtd making top 3 with 66 points is historically low.

        I don't think they'll be any better than 8th this year.

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'd be surprised if both Wolves and Leicester missed out on the top 6. Right now I'd have Leicester contending with Spurs for 4 and Chelsea and Arsenal fighting over scraps with Wolves.

      Now if Chelsea had Arteta my answer would be completely different. As it is Arsenal's league position this year imo pretty much reflects the strength of their squad. Almighty achievement if Arteta on minimal transfer budget makes that top 4 spot

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I don't think Leicester can do any better than 8th - Wolves have more rest too because no Europa League - assuming they don't win it. I also think the team overperformed and the second half was a regression closer to their true form. They were also helped by historically weak performances from all the teams except Liverpool. Add on the fact that Jamie Vardy is one year older, losing just another half yard of pace, and I don't see it.

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Perhaps - hadn't factored in Europa tbh with Leicester so maybe a downgrade there from me.

          But that said Wolves and Leicester may have different strengths that the London Three but I'd be surprised if they were outpaced by all of them - can see a similarly tight finish again. A result or so in it either way

          Also I'm a bit more sceptical about United than most. They could for sure be on the tools of the Big Two but I suspect they may be a bit flattered by the very strange landscape post lockdown. Bit sceptical that's all.

    5. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      “... Chelsea - So many exciting talents but that defense is really poor ...”. Agree. Strange lack of action to upgrade this area as well. I don’t understand it.

    6. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Liverpool small squad?

      Klopp hardly rotated. Midfield was changed up the most.

      The likes of Milner, Lovren, Matip (injured), Shaqiri, Origi, Minamino, Ox, Miner and Keita were used sparingly. Lalana was a ghost.

      Klopp started his strongest 11 most of the time. Klopp will at the least add another CB and LB. If we can find a new home for Shaqiri then another versatile attacker will come in. If Milner decides to go then space on on the wage bill for another player.

      Definitely not a small squad. Our fully fit starting 11 is as solid as a mountian. CB and LB added and perhaps another versatile attacker and we are sorted I reckon.

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Sorry, have Milner twice

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Exactly the right man to have twice 🙂

      2. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I can see the emerging kids playing a slightly larger role this year too - certainly young Nico will enable Trent to get rested some games.

      3. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        That just proves it. It's a small squad in the sense that they're not trusted to start. City have a 'big squad' because they can afford to rest their top players and still put out winning teams.

        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          'winning teams' that finished 18 points behind Liverpool.
          That's the important bit.

    7. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      So Camzy, still a supporter of the "traditional top 6".

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I am, yes. Money matters. It's also why I think Team Value in FPL is more important than some other players. Put more money on the field, statistically, win more.

    8. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      “Man City ... they have the squad and depth ...”. They need a starting CB to play alongside Laporte.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I foresee very little movement in final PL positions next year. Currently I'm predicting:

        1 Liverpool
        2 Manchester City
        3 Manchester United
        4 Chelsea
        5 Arsenal
        6 Wolves

        1. FPL Theorist
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I basically agree with this. Chelsea should get a new GK if nothing else, which should prevent them from losing ground.

      2. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        They strolled to 2nd without him or any decent cover for most of the season. Just him alone is enough to elevate his partner.

        1. jtreble
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Koulibaly update below.

      3. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Are they that worse off than Liverpool in this respect? Put this way if Liverpool lost VVD for half a season I imagine the net result would be much the same as City losing Laporte

        1. jtreble
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          MCI is looking for a starting CB. See Koulibaly update below.

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Yep but there’s a distance between want and need.

            Any squad can be upgraded but City aren’t exactly badly placed at the back. They’ve already made the important transfer in finding a stand in for Laporte in Ake - a ball playing left footer

            1. jtreble
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              MCI are going to buy a starting CB for 20/21 imho. Koulibaly or someone else.

    9. AK ⭐
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Horribly undervaluing Chelsea there even with defensive issues there.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Maybe. But one team has to be the 'disappointment' and I think it might be them.

    10. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      With Current squads and assuming no catastrophic injuries - I'd say Liverpool might slightly pip City in first - but only by a small margin, and could easily see City getting there too

      With another world class/big money centre half on board (Koulibaly keeps being mentioned) and Laporte fit for a season, I'd see City winning it though

    11. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      1. City
      2. Liverpool
      3. United
      4. Chelsea
      5. Arsenal
      6. Spurs

  19. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Are there news if FPL will add/change features in the game? Like adding new chips, changing the scoring system etc?

    1. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Little time for that this year imho.

  20. The Rock
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    "I wouldn’t recommend having two Albion strikers in your Fantasy team, as it’s focused on wingers."

    Not sure many will even have 1 to be honest!

  21. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    can someone tell me how to change my profile pic? (they should make it easy for paid members to change their profile pic easily)

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Head on over to http://www.gravatar.com and register for an account (make sure you register with the same email as the one you are registered with here). Choose an image, and this will be associated with all of your comments on site. Your gravatar image should appear next to your comments within roughly 24 hours.

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Pope
      TAA VVD Robbo Laporte Koulibaly
      KDB Bruno MID MID (4.5)
      Martial (4.5 4.5)

      done

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Scary, weird, but strangely impressive.

    2. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'm going with either a 5-4-1 or a 4-5-1 TT this season.

      I expect player pricing will necessitate a shift from the preferred, attack-orientated formations, unless some early season bargains appear.

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Imagine they downgraded Laporte to 6.0 after the low points return last season...

      He's a bargain at 6.5, let alone 6.0

      With Koulibaly on board he'd be lethal in FPL

    4. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure where TT came from (bloody autocorrect).

  22. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Do you think FPL will reopen a day or 2 after the new fixtures are announced, or is there a possibility it could open beforehand?

    1. The Rock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Most likely it will be after fixtures are released.

    2. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yep, you're probably right.

      Looking forward to playing around with some drafts.

  23. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Pope
    TAA - Doherty - Laporte - 5.0 - 5.0
    KDB - Salah - Bruno - 5.0 - 4.5
    Jimmy - 4.5 - 4.5

    Do you think this team (541 / 451) will be affordable?

    Subject to the odd tweak, it's the kind of thing I'm aiming to start with.

    1. Nimby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Most of those players probably won't start the season until late.

    2. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah, fixtures notwithstanding etc.

      Perhaps an early WC team.

    3. MosF94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Borderline - I'll say just about yes q